Useful Information Concerning Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery Houston Patients Need To Have

By Jeffrey Wilson


The gall bladder is a small tubular organ that is found adjacent to the liver. Its main function is to store and concentrate bile juice, an important chemical for the digestive process. Conditions affecting the organ such as the presence of bile stones often require surgical intervention. If they have been scheduled to undergo laparoscopic gallbladder surgery Houston patients need to know a number of things about the procedure.

There are many potential problems that may affect the bladder. Infections and formation of gall stones are the commonest. The stones are made up of cholesterol and bile salts. The biggest complications that these stones pose is the risk of blocking the path used by bile. When this happens, a buildup bilirubin ensues resulting in a phenomenon known as obstructive jaundice.

The surgery itself is carried out under general anesthesia. Once you have been put under the anesthesia, the surgeon will make three small incisions in the anterior abdomen. These incisions serve as the ports of entry for the instrument (also referred to as a laparoscope). The components of the laparoscope include a camera and a manipulating device that can be used for cutting and suturing. Images from the surgical site are transmitted onto a monitor to guide the surgeon.

A number of investigations will be requested to help the doctor in making the diagnosis. Ultrasound is among the most informative investigative modalities when the problem of gall stones is suspected. If the problem is complex, additional investigations such as Ct scans, X-rays and radionuclide images may be needed. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, dietary modification may be recommended but surgery remains the only effective treatment.

The doctor will recommended some tests to aid in evaluating the problem. Ultrasound imaging is among the most important test when it comes to diagnosing conditions affecting the gall bladder. Complex cases may necessitate the use of other modalities as well. These will include, for example, X-rays, CT scans and even radionuclide images. Although non-invasive methods such as dietary changes are at times recommended, the definitive treatment for gall stones is surgical removal.

The small size of incisions used in this procedures allows patients to leave the hospital earlier than is the case with the open technique. In most cases, patients are allowed home on the same day. In contrast, an average of three days of admission are required when the open technique is used. Another major advantage is the fact that one can resume work after about a week which is a lot less than the four weeks recommended for the open surgery.

Due to the small size of the incisions used, hospital stay has been markedly shorted. Laparoscopic gall bladder surgery is regarded a day case in most centers. The patient can be allowed to go home as soon as they recover from the effects of the anesthesia which is usually one the same day that they undergo surgery. In the open procedure, they are retained for two to four days. Resumption of the normal routine is usually after one week.

Gall stone removal through laparoscopy is now the mainstay mode of treatment for the condition. The technique has replaced the open method in many places in the world due to its shorter turnaround time and its superior safety profile. It can be offered to almost any individual except in few instances where high surgical risks exist.




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